The governor of Vermont is the
head of government of the
U.S. state of
Vermont. The officeholder is elected in even-numbered years by direct voting for a
term of two years. Vermont and bordering
New Hampshire are the only states to hold gubernatorial elections every two years, instead of every four as in the other 48 U.S. states.[2]
There is no limit on the number of terms a Vermont governor can serve.[3] If no candidate receives at least 50% plus one vote of all votes for governor cast in the election, the governor of Vermont is then elected by the
state legislature.[4] The incumbent Vermont governor is Republican
Phil Scott. He was sworn in on January 5, 2017, becoming Vermont's 82nd governor.
To commission or appoint all officers ("except where provision is, or shall be, otherwise made by law or this Frame of Government")
To fill all vacancies in office until the office can be filled in the manner directed by
state constitution or by
state law
To correspond with other States
To "transact business with officers of government, civil and military"
To "prepare such business as may appear necessary, to lay before the
General Assembly.
To grant
pardons and remit
fines, except for cases of
treason, in which the governor may only grant reprieves until the end of the next
session of the General Assembly, and for cases of
impeachment, in which the governor cannot grant either reprieves or pardons
To "take care that the laws be faithfully executed" and "expedite the execution of such measures as may be resolved upon by the General Assembly"
To "draw upon the
Treasury for such sums as may be
appropriated by the General Assembly"
To "lay
embargoes, or prohibit the
exportation of any
commodity" for up to 30 days during a recess of the General Assembly
To "grant such licenses as shall be directed by law"
The
lieutenant governor of Vermont is elected separately from the governor.[6] If the incumbent governor dies, resigns or is removed from office via impeachment, then the lieutenant governor becomes governor.[6] The lieutenant governor is also the
lieutenant general "forces of the State".[6]